The American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) announced the winners of its 2026 National Production Awards and Meritorious Commendations, which honor outstanding achievement in college theatre across the country. Cuesta College Theatre Arts’ student-directed production of James and the Giant Peach received nine national awards, putting the college among the nation’s top theatre programs.
ACTF honors recognize outstanding artistry, innovation, and teamwork from hundreds of productions shown at eight regional festivals. Cuesta College’s production was one of just four chosen to represent Region 8 at the 2026 festival in Glendale, California, after being selected by the ACTF Region 8 Executive Board.
National Awards received by Cuesta College include:
Outstanding Performance and Production Ensemble — James and the Giant Peach
Outstanding Costume Design — bree valle
Outstanding Production Design — James and the Giant Peach
Distinguished Production of a Play — James and the Giant Peach
Distinguished Direction of a Play — Cash Costango and Kasady Riley
Distinguished Lighting Design — Ryan Flores
Distinguished Scenic Design — Brian Williams
Distinguished Sound Design — Molly Cochran
Distinguished Hair, Makeup, and Wig Design — Molly Cochran
Meritorious Commendations from Region 8 include:
Region 8 Recognition — James and the Giant Peach
Theatre for Young Audiences
Wig Design and Construction — Molly Cochran
Light Board Operator — Emma Rogers
Smashing the Hierarchy
Student-Centered Production
Sound and Projection Operator — Molly Cochran
Community Service and Educational Arts Impact
Technical Direction — Ryan Flores
“This national recognition shows what can happen when students are trusted to lead, work together, and take creative risks,” said bree valle, artistic director of the Cuesta College Theatre Arts Program. “Seeing their work honored on a national stage proves the courage, imagination, and artistry they brought to every part of this production.”
Student directors Cash Costango and Kasady Riley received national recognition for Distinguished Direction of a Play, highlighting the production’s student-driven approach.
“To have our work recognized at the national level is surreal,” Costango said. “This production was built on trust, collaboration, and a shared vision. Every person involved helped shape something bigger than any one of us, and that’s what makes this honor so meaningful.”
“This experience has been transformative,” Riley said. “Receiving national recognition validates the risk-taking and creativity that defined this process. It also shows what’s possible when student voices are centered and supported in meaningful ways.”
The cast and crew thanked the donors and supporters whose funding made it possible for them to attend the regional festival. The production’s journey began when it was chosen to represent Region 8, which includes colleges and universities from Arizona, Central and Southern California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Southern Nevada, Utah, and Guam, at ACTF Conference 58. This five-day event featured performances, workshops, and professional feedback from theatre experts across the country.
ACTF provides students with opportunities to engage in disciplines such as acting, directing, design, technology, stage management, and devised theatre, while connecting them with a national network of emerging and established artists.
This was the sixth time Cuesta College Theatre Arts has represented the western region at ACTF. The program has earned several national honors before, continuing its tradition of excellence and innovation in student-led theatre. Past honors include the original play pool ’63 (2014), which received five national awards; Refried Elvis (2016), which earned six awards; Man of La Mancha (2018) with 14 awards; Ghost Ship (2019), which received 10 awards including Outstanding Theatrical Creation; and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2023), which earned 10 awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Actor. In 2021, bree valle received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, one of the highest honors in theatre education.
“This achievement speaks to the strength of our teamwork and the bold creativity of our students,” valle added. “They’re not just making theatre; they’re building confidence, community, and a lasting belief in their ability to lead and create.”
About Cuesta College
Cuesta College empowers students to imagine and achieve brighter futures through high-quality
education, personalized support, and a welcoming community. With a main campus in
San Luis Obispo, a North County Campus in Paso Robles, a South County Center in Arroyo
Grande, and a variety of online offerings, we offer opportunities that inspire growth,
spark innovation, and open doors, helping every student succeed on their unique path.
Learn more at cuesta.edu.
About Cuesta College Theatre Arts
Cuesta College’s Theatre Arts Program offers hands-on training in performance, design,
and production, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and student leadership. Through
experiential learning and public performance, students develop the skills and confidence
to succeed both onstage and beyond.